Circuit interrupter



Aug. 31, 1948. -'H. L,. RAWLlNs ET AL C IRCUI T IN TERRUPTER 3 Sheets-Sheet l Original Filed Jan. 16, 1941 WITNESSES: 657m @im Allg- 31, 1948- H. 1 RAwLlNs ET A1. y Re. 23,033

CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER Original FiledA Jan. 16, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug 31, 194s. H. L RAWLINS ET AL. Re. 23,933

CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER Original Filed Jan. 16, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 ffy@ @4 Reinued Align-31, 1948 omcur INTERRUPTER Herbert L. Rawlins,

Wallace,

Edgewood, and James M. East McKeesport, Pa.,

assignors to Westinghouse Electric Corporation, East Pittsburgh Pa.,- a corporation oi' Pennsylvania Original No. 2,405,606, dated August 13, 1946, Se-

riaINo. 374,685,

48 Claims.` (CL 20o-89) 4 y 1 'I'his invention relates generally to circuit interrupters, and more particularly to circuit breakers and their operating mechanisms.

This invention is especially adapted for use in small reclosing circuit breakers wherein it has certain particular novel cooperation providing certain n'ovel and useful results, however it should be understood that many features of this invention are capable of use with other types of circuit breakers and even with other types of apparatus.

In automatic reclosing circuitbreakers, it is sometimes desirable to have varying trip characteristics. Thus it is desirable in certain instances to provide for relatively quick first opening, and a slower second opening to obtain better coordination with fuses when the circuit protected is Isubject to surges. Another advantage of a second time delay tripping is thatit gives the fault an opportunity to burn clear. breaker trippings after the second trip are erably relatively fast to take care of faults are not self -clearing.

Accordingly, one object of this invention'is to provide novel mechanism for controlling a reclosing circuit breaker.

Another object of this invention is to provide The prefwhich January 16,. for reissue August 14,

1941. Application 1947, Serial No. 768,638

novel operating mechanism for a reclosing circuit breaker which is operative to lock the breaker contacts open in response to a predetermined number of successive reclosures thereof.

Another object of this invention is to provide in a circuit breaker of the type which is adapted to automatically open and close the circuit in a plurality of successive cycles of operation, novel means for providing an intermediate time delay opening of the breaker in any series of successive operations thereof. v

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel arrangement of circuit breaker operating mechanism in a breaker of the type described.`

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel compact arrangement of parts in a circuit breaker of the type described.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel circuit breaker construction which is adapted to automatically open and close the circuit successively a predetermined number of times and then lock the breaker open in response to predetermined continuing electrical conditions of the circuit.

A further object of this invention is to providevin an automatic reclosing' circuit breaker, novel means for maintaining the contacts thereof separatedhin response to a predetermined numless than said predetermined number.

These and other objects of this invention will become more apparent upon consideration of a detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof, when taken in connection with theat- 4 l Atached drawings, in which Figure 1 is a substantially central, longitudinal sectional view of one form of a circuit interrupter embodying the features of this invention. 1

Fig. 2 is a View similar to Fig. 1, but taken from the opposite side thereof and showing certain of the parts in elevation and. with the outer casing removed. g

Fig. 3 is a sidevelevatonal view of the mechanism shown in Figs. 1 and 2, with a portion of the supporting frame removed, and

Fig. 4 is a view like Fig. 3 but illustrating the position oi thev parts with the breaker contacts locked open.

Referring to the drawings, the embodiment of the invention illustrated includes a circuit interrupter adapted to be contained in an insulating tubular casing 2, which maybe of any desired insulating material, such as porcelain glass, or the like. The casing 2, as shown in Fig. 1, has a closed bottom end portion and an open top. The open top is provided with an upper terminal cover assembly 4, and the closed bottom of the casing is provided with a. lower terminal assembly t'. An intermediate portion of the casing has a substantially cylindrical outer wall portion 8, upon which is mounted a cushioning sleeve it of rubber, liber or the like, and on opposite sides of which maybe clamped supporting bracket halves I2 (only one of which is shown) as by bolts I3. The supporting bracket portions i2 are adapted to be extended at one end thereof to support the interrupter in an i operative position.

The lower terminal assembly 6 is mounted at the closed bottom portion of the insulating casing 2 by means of a conducting bolt I8, extending through an aperture I9 in the closed end of casing 2, and the bolt is provided With an enlarged disc-like head portion 20 positioned within the casing, posed between inner surface of the `closed end of insulating Vcasing 2. The packing material 22, may be of any desired packing material, preferably one with packing material 22 interl the head 20 and the adjacent.

Bolt I3 has engaging flanges 43 and an integral lip-33 formed on cover 32.

is secured in position by a nut 24 drawn up on Y' the bolt against a washer 26, positioned between the nut 24 and the outer wall at the closed end of casing 2. A terminal strap 23 having connector elements 3| thereon, may be also secured to the bolt i8 by means of a second nut 33, as shown.

The upper terminal assembly 4 is in the form of a cover for the open end of the casing and, as will be hereinafter more fully explained, also acts to secure the support for the interrupter A and operating mechanism in operative relation at the open end of the casing.

Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, it will be noted that the cover 32 is provided with a transversely extending hollow portion for the reception of certain parts of the circuit breaker operating mechanism, and the topvwall of this hollow portion is provided with a threaded aperture for the reception of a screw threaded filler plug. 34, so that the supply of arc extinguishing flui'd within the casing 2 may be renewed when necessary. `over 32 also includes a peripheral flange portion 36 adapted to seat on the upper/end walls of casing 2, Y"and this flange has at its outer edge a downwardly turned lip portion 33, to aid in properly positioning the cover on the open end of casing 2. Packing material 43 is interposed between the cover ilange 36 and the open end oi' the casing, and this material is preferably similar to packing material 22 previously described. Cover 32 is secured to the casing 2 by means of a support 42, fixedly mounted on the outside of casing 2. Support 42 is in the form of an annulus which is substantially channel-shaped in cross section, with the channel facing the outer surface of casing 2. The annular support 42 is secured to casing 2 by cast metal or the like 44, which is poured in between the support 42 and the outer casing wall, so as to enter within the channel support 42 and between corrugations 43 provided on the outer surface of the casing to securely anchor the support 42 thereto. Cover 32 is preferably secured to support ring 42 by.

spaced bolts passing through integral outstanding ears (not shown) provided on the cover and supporting ring, respectively. The casing .and its terminal'assembly thus far described are substantially like that disclosed and claimed in the copending application of J. M. Wallace, Serial No. 345,051, filed July 12, 1.940, and assigned to the same assignee as this invention.

As'stated abve, cover 32 is adapted to secure a support for the interrupter and its operating mechanism in operative relation at the open endl of casing 2. This lsupport for the interrupter and its operating mechanism (as shown) includes an upper substantially rectangular open frame portion having top and bottom walls 32 and 36, respectively,'and side walls 54.v Depending from the bottom wall 53 of the upper rectangular frame portion, are a pair of spaced. substantially par'- allely extending supporting plate members 33, for supporting the interrupting chamber 32 at the lower ends thereof. The upper rectangular supporting frame portion is provided adjacent the top wall 52 thereof, with oppositely positioned, outwardly extending supporting anges 43, adapted to be positioned on top or the end wall oi casing 2, and be secured in position by' screws 33 The interrupting chamber 32, includes a tubular insulating chamber portion 34 formed of any desired insulating material such. for example, as fiber or the like, which is adapted to have one end thereof threadedly engaged with a threaded socket 33 formed integral with the lower ends of supporting plates .53.- The upper wall of socket 33 is provided with a plurality of spaced outlet passages 63, which are controlled by a disc-like valve member 38 mounted within insulating tube 34, and which operates to control the outlet passages 66 in a manner to be hereinafter described. Insulating tube 64 of the interrupter chamber is provided at the other end thereof with an end cap 13, threadedly engaged with the lower end of th'elinsulating tube to close the same. The cap 13 is providedwith passages 12 for the flow of fluid into arc chamber 32, and these passages are controlled by a check valve plate 14 adapted to be seated over inlet passages 12, within arc chamber 32. End cap 13 is also provided with a substantially centrally located threaded aperture i'ctthe reception of a threaded xed .contact 13. /Q

'movable contact assembly is adapted to cooperate with ilxed contact 16, and includes a relatively short contact rod 13 located within interrupting chamber 32, and having an enlargedy Contact portion 13 with a tapered outer end for engagement with fixed contact 13. Short contact rod 13 is adapted to have the upper end thereof,

as viewed in the drawings,'threaded into a bore central aperture provided in socket 33. The lower end of insulating contact rod 33 is provided with a counter-bore 32 for receiving a coil compression spring 34, adapted to be seated at the other end thereof on a liquid director member 86. The liquid director 33 is substantially circularin form and includes a base vportion 33 having a substantially central aperture for slidably mounting the director on short contact rod 13, for movement v between enlarged portion 19 of the contact rod and the lower endof insulating contact rod 33. Coil spring 34 normally biases the liquid director 36 towards the enlarged end 13 of short contact rod 13. However, in the closed position of the contacts, as shown, for example, in Fig. l, spring 34 will be compressed, so that the liquid director will be located adjacent to the lower. end of insulating contact rod 33. The liquid director 33 is provided with passages therethrough for directing the liquid into the path of an arc drawn when the contacts separate, and these include an outlet-33A located adjacent the enlarged contact portion 16, and this opens into a divergent passage 32 in the director, which in turn communicates with a plurality of spaced inlet passages 34, into which liquid contained in the interrupter chamber 32 is adapted to flow when the liquid director is moved upwardly. In'th'e closed position of the contacts, liquid director 33 is adapted to rest on a stop ring 33 secured between a shoulder 33 on end cap 13, and the lower end of insulating tube 34. Valve plate 33 at the upper end of interrupting chamber. 62 is provided with anintegral angular ange 133 adapted to form a substantially annular groove about the outer surface of insulating contact rod 33, ior the reception of packing material |32 to frictionally associate valve plate 33 with insulating contact rod 33.

chamber 62 during the With the exception of contact supporting rod l0 being of insulating structure described above is substantially the same as tha-t described in the copending application of J. M. Wallace, Serial No. 374,684. led January 16, 1941, and assigned to the same assignee as this application, now matured as Patent No. 2,352,048, issued June 20, 1944. Consequently, for a fuller understanding of the structure and operation of the interrupter, reference is hereby made to the above-mentioned copendlng application. Briefly, the operation of the'interrupter 62 is as follows. When contact supporting rod 00 is moved upwardly carrying with it contact rod 18 and con-tact portion 19, the liquid director 80 is held in engagement with stop ring 00, until the base 88 thereof is engaged by the enlarged contact portion 19, by the biasing yaction exerted by coilspring 84. However, as soon as the contacts separate an arc will be drawn therebetween causing vaporization of the arc extinguishing fluid which will build up pressure within the interrupting chamber 62. This material, the interrupter' rod |06 as by a pivotvpin |00. 0 are adapted -to diverge and ends slotted to receive fixed cured to connecting Thetoggle levers have their opposite guide pins ||2, respectively, mounted on integral supporting lugportions l i4 formed on cover 32. A coiled compression spring ||6 is adapted to be coiled about each toggle lever ||0 Ito react beportion 19 into engagement with fixed contact 16.

u /coil is provided drawn up into a 20 spring |23. Preferably, the

pressure forces check valve plate 14 vto seat on and close 01T inlet passages 12, and upward movement of contact rod 80 carries valve plate 68 into 'In order to separate the contacts, a solenoid coil ||8 is adapted to be mounted in the rectankgular portion of the supporting frame, and the with a core |20 adapted to be center bore in the coll. The s;- lenoid core |20 is movably mounted on con' necting rod |04, and is provided-with a counterbore portion |22 for receiving therein a l coil core plug ||9 at the upper end of solenoid coil Ila is, like movable core |20, and sides 54 of the supporting frame, of a magnetic material, so as to form a closed magnetic path when plug H9 is engaged by movable 25 core |20.

a closed position with respect to cutie-t passages 60, to thereby effectively seal the interrupting circuit interrupting operation. As soon as the enlarged contact portion 19 on contact support 18 engages wall 88 of the liquid director, the director is moved upwardly along Awi-th the contact, and liquid will flow through inlet passages 94 and be directed through outlet passage 90 which will now be positioned as shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings, to direct liquid through the arc path. This lost motion between the contact and liquid director, when the circuit in interrupted, permits easy initial opening movement of the contacts and `allows suiilcient pressure to build up within the inter- The solenoid coil H8 is adapted to be connected in series in the circuit through Ithe interrupter, as will be hereinafter described, and upon the occurrence of overload conditions in the circuit, the solenoid 'coil will attract movable core |20, and move the same upwardly without moving rod |04 or contact 19, until coil spring |23 engages the lower end |05 of connecting rod |06. From this point on, further movement upwardly of movable. core |20 will cause compression of spring |23, until the upper end of the core engages shoulder |24 on connecting rod L06 to deliver an impact on connecting rod |04, to separate contact portions 19 and 16, notwithstanding any possible welding of the contacts together.

rupter chamber 62 to close the valve 14, and per-l guishing liquid. It will be noted that the pressure built up within the interrupter chamber will also act on the relatively large contact suppor-tlng rod 00 to assist in moving contact 18 away from fixed contact 16, inasmuch as the supportlng rod 80 nts in a piston-like manner in socket After the circuit is interrupted, the contacts may be reclosed and it will be apparent .that as soon as contact supporting rod 80 moves downwardly, it will carry valve plate 68 with it into engagement with the upper edge of insulating tube G4, which is notched as yat 6|, to permit free outlet of used fluid and .any gases whichmay have been produced by the interrupting operation. At the same time, the head of liquid in insulating casing 2 will cause check valve plate 14 Ito raise and allow fresh fluid to enter inlet passages 12 to replace .the used liquid.

Contact supporting rod 80 is adapted to be actuated by an elongated actuating rod |04 `threadedly engaged in a bore in the upper end of rod 00, and having the opposite end secured in a is preferably This will cause contact 19 .to move upwardly and it is carried for the completion of its strokeafter solenoid core |20 engages plug core IIB, by the force stored in coil spring |23. Coil spring |23 of such strength as to overcome the force exerted bytoggle springs H6 after a predetermined strain thereof. Moreover, it may be noted that the force exerted by toggle springs 6 in a direction `to cause engagement of contact portion 19 with fixed contact 16, will decrease as the contact 19 moves upwardly, because of the toggle effect of levers H0, Moreover, the opening movement of the contacts is further aided by the pressure which may be developed bythe arc formed when the contacts separate, acting to move contact rod 19 upwardly, as described above. A

Movable solenoid core |20 is provided adjacent the lower end thereof with oppositely projecting pins |25 having enlarged youter ends for reception in guide slots 12E, formed in supporting plates 5B, to prevent rotation thereof about a longitudinal axis. A rack |3| is adapted to be pivotally mounted on one of the pins |28 for engagement, in one position of solenoid core 20, with a pinion |30 mounted on a shaft |34 extending lf etween, and rotatably mounted in the spaced frame members 58. A spring |32 is adapted to be coiled about guide pin |26, with one end thereof engaging movable core |20, and the other end thereof engageable with rack |3|, toA normally urge the rack into eng-agement with pinion |30. It will be noted that `the yteeth on rack |3| are inclined downwardly so that in the upward motion of .the rack with movable core |20, the teeth y sansa of the rack will slide freely over the teeth of pinion |30; but on downward .motion of the rack the teeth will engage pinion |36 to rotate the lsame in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figs. 3 and 4. A relatively large gear |36 is also fixed to shaft |34, and this shaft, together with pinion |30 and gear |38, are biased in a counterclockwise direction by aspring |36 coiled about shaft |434, and having one end thereof engageable with the supporting frame, and the other end thereof engaging a pinl |40 on gea'.h |36. The pin |40 projecting from one side of gear |36 is adapted to control a trip controlling member in a manner to be hereinafter further specified. v

A short stop lug A|42 projects from the opposite side of gear |36 and is normally adaptedto engage a lever |44 pivotally mounted on the supporting frame, as by the pivot pin |46, and engageable at the outer end thereof with shaft |34, so that, as viewed in Figs. 3 and 4, the stop pin |42, by its engagement with lever |44, limits movement of gear |36 in a counterclockwise direction under the influence of spring |36. A ccntrol lever |50 is preferably pivotally mounted as at |48, on one supporting plate 56, and is prot vided at one corner of thefree end thereof with a curved catch |52, insulatingly secured to control lever |50 in any desired manner, and adapted to be engaged by an adjustable stop lug |64 mounted lin the free end of a. blmetal element use. l

Bimetal element |56 is supported from the frame 56 by an angular bracket |56l and -is of conventional construction, that is, it includes a pair of laminations of materials lying different ccetlicTents of expansion intimately secured together, with the material having the larger coefficient of expansion comprising the lower lamination. so

paddle wheel |16. positioned below the level of the arc extinguishing liquid within casing 2.

In the operation of the mechanism thus far described, it can be seen that when the contacts v rack |3| is secured to-solenoid core |20 and,

that upon being heated, the bimetal will deflect upwardly as viewed in the drawings.

It can be seen, therefore, that the bimetal lug |64, normally, as shown in Fig. 3, prevents ,counterclockwise rotation of control lever |60. Clockwise rotation of control lever,|50 about its pivot |46, is limited by a laterally projecting stop lug |60 integral with the lever, and engageable with an edge of the adjacent supporting plate 56.

At the other corner of the free end of control lever |50, there is pivotally mounted as at |62, a contact stop lever |64. This lever, at its upper portion, comprises a pair of legs pivoted on pivot pin |62, at opposite sides of control lever |50, and

having laterally extending integral portions |63 connected at their outer ends by an integral stop portion |66, which is engageable with control lever in the position of contact stop lever |64 shown in Fig. 4 .of the drawings, to limit relative counterclockwise rotation thereof. `One leg -oi' contact stop lever |64, and control lever |50 are provided with lateral extensions |66 and |1|, re-

spectively,.which are apertured so that the ends of a coiled tension spring |13 may be hooked into these extensions to bias contact stop lever |64, relative to control lever |50, in a counterclockwise direction about pivot point |62. One of the legs of contact stop lever |64 is extended, as shown at |66, solas to be engageable by control pin |40 on gear |36, to normally maintain the contact stop lever in the position shown in Fig.` 3 of the drawings, so that the stop portion |61 of the lever is maintained out of the path of movement of pin |26 on solenoid core |20. Gear |36 is adapted to drive a. time delay means, comprising pinion |10 with which gear |36 meshes, gear |12 fixed for rotation with pinion |10, and pinion therefore, its movement is independent of the amount of separating movement oi' the contact rod |04 as pointed out above. As the contacts are reclosed following an initial circuit interrupting operation, it will be observed that rack |3| will rotate gear |36 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figs. 3 and 4 against the bias oi' spring |36, and this rotation will remove control pin |40 from contact stop lever |64 to permit this lever to be moved by spring |13 in a counterclockwise direction about pivot |62, to a position limited by connecting stop portion |66 and wherein the hook portion |61 of the lever is positioned at a point to intercept pin |26 'on solenoidcore |20, in

the event a closely succeeding interrupting operation occurs. In the event the overload on the circuit has disappeared when the contacts are reclosed, gear |36 will be rotated in a counterclockwise direction by spring |36 slowly, since spring |36 must operate the time delay gearing and paddle wheel |16, until eventually control pin |40 re-engages portion |66 of contact stop lever |64 and moves it back to the position shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings. In this position, it is obvious that in the event an overload again occurs-in the circuit. the contacts will be quickly separated by solenoid ||6.

In the event, however, that upon reclosure after the first interrupting operation of the circuit breaker, the overload still exists on the circuit, solenoid coil ||6 will immediately again lift movable core |20 upwardly. but its movement in this direction is now limited by hook portion |61 of contact stop lever |64, so that its movement will be halted before it is operative to raise contact 16. However, bimetal |56 is connected in series with solenoid coil ||6 in the circuit through the interrupter, as will be hereinafter pointed out, and after a predetermined period of time the bimetal becomes heated by the overload current, and detlects to the position shown in Fig. 4, thus releasing catch|52 on control lever |50, so that. this lever and stop lever |64 are now free to rotate as a' unit about pivot |46 of lever |50, under the biasing force exerted by the solenoid ypull through pin |26 on hook portion |61, which pull is exerted along aline offset with respect to pivot |46. This will free the pin |26 and permit the contacts to be opened in the manner previously described.

After the circuit is interrupted the contacts will be reclosed by toggle springs |.|6, with the reclosure again being delayed by operation of the l |14 adapted to mesh with gear |12 for drivingv a 76 moves stop portion |6101 lever 64 from the path 4sacas of movement of solenoid pin |20, and stop pin |42 engages lever |44. It should be noted that control lever |80 is normally biased to the position shown in Figs. 3 and 4 or the drawings. that is, where stop lug |80 thereof engages the edge of adjacent support plate 88, by a spring |8| coiled about pivot |48 and engaging stop lug |80, and

adjacent supporting plate 80.

If the fault has not been cleared by the time the second reclosure is made.' the breaker contacts are again quickly separated by solenoid coil ||8, and this time there is no timeiag before the contacts separate because the bimetal has not had time to cool down, and consequently will remain in the position shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings; and, therefore. levers |84 and |80 may be rotated aboutpivot |48 by core pin. |28 on the upward stroke of the solenoid core.

It can be seen from the foregoing that upon the occurrence of a continuing fault in the circuit, the breaker contacts will be opened a plurality of times, with the first interrupting operation occurring substantially instantaneously in response to the occurrence of the fault. and the second closely succeeding interrupting operation will be delayed a predetermined time depending upon the time necessary to heat bimetal |88. "Thereafter,

4any subsequent interruption will be relatively faster because the time delay means |88 being in a deflected position, any such closely succeeding tripping operation. However, in the event that the fault clears after any reclosure of the breaker contacts, the mechanism will reset so that whenever a continuing fault occurs at a later time, the same sequence of circuit interrupting operations will occur,-that is, a first quick opening of the contacts, a second time delay opening. and a quick opening thereafter. In connection with the intermediate time delay opening operation of the 'breaker contacts, it should be noted that the lost motion connection of the solenoid core with the movable contact, is utilized to prevent separation of the vcontacts for a time predetermined by bimetal |88. -The above described arrangement of successive circuit interrupting operations has the advantage that better coordination with fuses can be obtained when the circuit being protected is subject to surges.

Means are provided in association with the mechanism described above for locking the breaker contacts in open circuitl position, in response to a predetermined. number of closely successive interrupting operations. The lever |44 previously referred to, is adaptedato control this lockout means, and it will be noted that this lever is normally biased into-engagement with shaft |34, by a spring |18 coiled about pivot |48, and engageable with a lateral extension of the lever and with socket portion 80 of the interrupting chamber. Also pivotally mounted on the lever pivot |48, is a lockout lever |80, which is biased with respect to lever |44, for movement in a counterclockwise direction, by spring |82 also coiled aboutpivot |48, and having opposite ends thereof engaging lever |44 and lockout lever |80. A lug |8| on lockout lever |80 is engageable with a lateralextensicn of lever |44 to limit movement of lockout lever |80 relative to lever |44 under the influence of its spring |82,

As previously described, each time the interrupter contacts are closed, rack 3| is operative to rotate pinion |30 and, therefore, gear |38 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings, and after the contacts are reclosed, the gear |38 is then slowly moved back will be inoperative to delay.

.by reason to its normal position shown in Fig. 3. However, in the event of the occurrence of a continuing fault on the circuit. before gear |38 is restored to its original position following a reclosure of the breaker contactsy'these contacts are again re- |38 upon a second reclosure of opened and gear the contacts is further advanced a lpredetermined distance in a counterclockwise direction b y rack |3|, to bring stop lug |42 into engagement with the upper edge of lever |44 to move lockout lever |00 into engagement with rod |04 just prior to engagement of the contacts. Now stili remains, the contacts are instantaneously reopened before gear |38 can be moved any substantial distance from its thus advanced position in a counterclockwise direction, at this time shoulder |84 on rod 04 cams lockout lever |80 .outwardly in its upward movement .so that when a third reclosure is attempted by toggle springs ||8, the integral shoulder |84 on rod |04 will engage the lockout lever and prevent reclosure of the circuit breaker contacts. It will be noted that pinion |30 is provided with a solid tooth portion |83 which, when -rack 3| attempts to reclose the contacts a third successive time, will be moved to engage the cam rack I 3| out of engagement with pinion |30, and thereby permit the rack and solenoid core |20 to drop down under the influence of gravity and spring |23 to the position shown in Figs. 1 and I engagement with the inclined end of lever 44.

However lockout lever |80 is maintained in the position shown in Fig. 4 to lock the contacts open of its frictional engagement with shoulder |84. A

To reset'the breaker, that is, to place it in service again following an automatic lockout operation, it is necessary to raise the moving contact in order to release lockout lever |80 and permit spring |18 to move the lever away from rod |04 and thus release the movable contact and permit the same to l be reclosed l 8.

The movable contact may be manually lifted by means of a lever 88 secured to a shaft |81 extending transversely across the hollow portion of cover 32, with one end thereof extended outside of the hollow portion of the cover to have secured thereto van operating crank |90. crank |80 has an enlarged aperture |82 at the outer end thereof, for the reception of a hook stick operating member or the like. It will be by toggle springs noted that operating crank lever |86 is provided with a curved inner end |88, positioned at one side of toggle levers ||0 and beneath toggle pivot pin |08, so that although rod |04 and movable contact 'i8 may be raised by lever |88 manually, contact 'i9 cannot be moved into engagement with the fixed contact 18 by this lever, and consequently it is obvious that the breaker contacts are trip free of manually operable lever |30 inasmuch as they may be automatically opened by the current responsive tripping means, independent of operation of the manual control lever |30.

As in copending application of H. L. Rawlins and J. M. Wallace, Serial 346,300, filed July 19, 1940, Patent No. 2,318,421, issued May 4, 1943, and assigned to the same assignee of this invention, the cover 32 may be provided with a manually operable locking means for maintaining the breaker contacts in an open circuit position when desired, as by a locking lever 2 0 pivotally mounted on the outside of the cover as at 2|2 and norif the fault- 3. This Will l The contacts.

tact 16 and contact rod 10.

sacas lshoulder ZIB positioned so as to be engageable with locking lever 2|0 when the latter is manually rotated clockwise as viewed in Fig. 2, when the operating crank is in its lower position corresponding to the open circuit position of the The cover may also be provided with a sight glass |94 as in the aforesaid -copending application for observation of a rod |98 mounted on a float |98, to render the level oi' arc extinguishing fluid readily visible from the exterior of the interrupter. Likewise, the cover may embody a terminal 200 for connection of a circuit conductor thereto.

The electrical circuit through the breaker maybe traced from the lower terminal 3|, conducting strip 28 to bolt I8, its enlarged head 20, through coiled compression spring engageable between the enlarged head of bolt I8 and end cap 10 of interruptor chamber 62, through fixed con- The insulating contact rod support 8U is provided with an off center bore 204 for receiving a flexible conductor 202, which is connected to contact rodv19 as at-l 208, and this flexible conductor is directed upwardly to be connected to one end of solenoid coil IIB. The other end of solenoid coilY I I8 is connected by a flexible conductor 201, to the free end of bimetal'lii, and since the bimetal is supported on frame supporting plate 50. the. circuit proceeds from the bimetal through the frame to cap referred to, that the coil ||8 and bimetal |56 are thereby arranged in series circuit relation so as to be eii'ective to interrupt the circuit in the manner described above.

From the foregoing, it can be seen that the circuit breaker constituting this invention is capable of giving a relatively quick or an instantaneous opening when an overload ilrst occurs on the cir- 32 and terminal 200. It can be seen, as previously contacts will correspond to the time necessary for ushing the interrupting chamber so as to always insure a good flushing action andreplacement of used arc extinguishing liquid in the interrupting chamber 62I with fresh liquid. Another important feature is that this time delay in reclosure of the breaker contacts will be a constant value for any given viscosity of arc extinguishing'iluid, due to the fact that the time delay is controlled by movement of the solenoid core, rather than by movement of the contacts, and .because of the lost motion between the core and movable contact, the

,movement of the core will always be suiiicient to engage rack I3I with the time delay reclosing means on each interrupting operation of the breaker. Also novel means have been disclosed for locking the breaker contacts in an open circuit position in response to a predetermined number of closely successiveinterrupting operations, but which will be inoperative to lock the breaker contacts open irrespective of the number of nonsuccessive interrupting operations of the breaker.

Certain of the features of this invention not r 12` specifically claimed herein are disclosed and claimed in our copending application Serial No. 564,442, filed November 21, 1944, and comprising a division of ythis application which is assigned to the same assignee of this invention.

Having described a preferred embodiment of the invention in accordance with the patent statutes, it is desired that the invention be not limited to this particular embodimr :1t inasmuch as it will be obvious particularly to persons skilled in the art that many modifications may be made in this particular structure and still remain within the scope of this invention. Accordingly, it is desired that the invention be interpreted as broadly as possible and that it be limited only by what is expressly set forth in the following claims and by the prior art.

We claim as our invention:

1. In circuit interrupting means, separable contacts, a single means responsive to a predetermined circuit condition controlling separation of said contacts comprising a relatively quick acting control device, means for automatically closing said contacts following a circuit interrupting operation, blocking means automatically effective ln response to a circuit interrupting operation for preventing operation of said control device to separate said contacts, and time delay means operative to render said blocking means ineffective to permit said control device to separate said contacts only a. predetermined time after a first circuit interrupting operation, whereby upon the occurrence of said predetermined condition said control device will cause a quick separation of said contacts and thereafter said contacts will automatically reclose, and if said predetermined condition still exists said contacts will be separated a second time by said control device only a predetermined time after the iirst circuit interrupting operation.

2. In circuit interrupting means, separable c ontacts, means controlling separation of said contacts including relatively quick acting means for separating said contacts in response to predetermined conditions, means for automatically reclosing said contacts in response to a circuit interrupting operation, and time delay means automatically engageable with said quick acting means'in'response to a circuit interrupting operation for delaying a closely succeeding circuit interrupting operation by said quick acting means for a predetermined time after reclosure of said contacts in the event said predetermined conditions continue. y

3. In circuit interrupting means, separable contacts, means controlling separation of said contacts including means for relatively quickly separating said contacts in response to predetermined circuit conditions, means responsive to a first circuit interrupting operation forrpreventing separation of said contacts by said contact controlling means, time delay means also responsive to said predetermined circuit conditions for rendering saidl last mentioned means ineffective a predetermined time after a first circuit interrupting operation in the event said predetermined conditions remain on the circuit.

4.,In a circuit interruptor, separable contact means, electromagnetic means for separating said contacts, means for automatically reclosing said contacts in response to a circuit interrupting operation, means having a part biased to move in response to a predetermined circuit interrupting operation to one position for preventing a closely succeeding 'separation of said .contacts under the induence of said electromagnetic means, and

timi g means responsive to operation of said conta'ct for moving said part away from said one position a predetermined time after reclosure oi' said contacts in the event said electromagnetic means is not energized sufdciently to attempt another-circuit opening operation.

v5. In a circuit interrupter, separable contacts, relatively quick acting means f'or separating said contacts in response to a predetermined circuit condition, means for automatically closing said contacts in response to a predetermined circuit condition, means for automatically closing said contacts in response to a circuit interrupting operation, movable stop means adapted to move in response to operation of said contact closing means to a position to prevent operation of said quick acting means to open said contacts, and time delay means responsive to a condition of said circuit for maintaining said stop means in said position a predetermined time interval.

7. In a circuit interrupter, separable contacts, means for separatingsald contacts in response to a predetermined circuit condition, means for automatically closing said contacts inresponse to a circuit interrupting operation, means for delaying closing movement of said contacts including an actuating member adapted to be ad- .vanced a predetermined amount by each operation of said reclosing means, movable vstop said member to one position for preventing oper--h ation of said contact `separating means to open said contacts, means for slowly returning said member to its original position to restore said stop means to its original position 'a predetermined time after advancement of said member, and time delay means responsive to a condition of said circuit also eil'ective to restore said stop means to its original position.

8. In a circuit interruptor, separable contacts, means for separating said contacts in response to a predetermined circuit condition, means for automatically closing said contacts in response to a circuit interrupting operation, means for delaying closing movement of said contacts including an actuating member adapted to be advanced a predetermined amount by each operation of said reclosing means, meansVV for releasably' holding said contacts separated, said last mentioned means adapted to be actuated by said actuating member after it has been advanced a predetermined amount, movable stop means mov'- able in response to advancement of said member for preventing operation of said Contact separating means to open said contacts; means for slowly returning said member to its original position to restore said stop means to its original position a predetermined time after. advancement of said member, and time delay means responsive to a condition of said circuit also effective 1 to restore said stop to its original position.

9. In circuit interrupting vmeans, separable 5 contacts, means controlling separation of said contacts 'including means for relatively-quickly means movable in response to advancement of l said member to its original 14 separating said contacts in response to predetermined circuit conditions, means responsive to a first circuit interrupting operation for preventing separation of said contacts by said contact controlling means, time delay means also responsive to said predetermined circuit conditions for rendering said last mentioned means ineillective a predetermined time after a first circuit intery l Arupting operation in the event said predeterl mined conditions remain on the circuit, and means resetting said contact separation preventing means in the event said predetermined conditions are removed from the circuit.

10. In a circuit interrupter, separable contacts, means for separating said contacts in response to a predetermined circuit condition, means for automatically closing said contacts 'in response to a circuit interrupting delaying closing movement of said contacts including an actuating member adapted to be advanced a predetermined amount by each operation of said reclosing means, means responsive to predetermined advancement of said actuatingmember for preventing reclosure of said contacts,

movable stop means movable in response to advancement of said member for preventing operation of said contact separating means to open said contacts, and means for slowlyv returning position to restore said stop means to its original-position a predetermined time after advancement of lsaid member. Y

11 In a. circuit interrupter, separable contacts, means for separating said contacts in response to a predetermined circuit condition, means for automatically closing said contacts in response to a circuit interrupting operation, means for delaying closing movement of said contacts including an actuating member adapted to be advanced a predetermined amount by each operationof said reclosing means, a stop member pivotally mounted on a movable support and biased for movement relative to said support to an active position but normally held in an inactive position by said actuating member, a part movable with said contactseparating means engageable with said stop member in its active position in a manner to bias said support for movement upon an attempt by said contact separating means to separate said contacts, and time delay means responsive to said predetermined circuit condition for permitting movement of said support and allowing separation of said contacts.

12. In circuit interrupting means, separable contacts, a single means responsive to a predetermined circuit condition controlling separation of said contacts comprising a relatively quick acting controldevice, means for automatically closing said contacts following a circuit interrupting operation, blocking means automatically eifective in response to a circuit interrupting operation for preventing operation of said control device to separate said contacts, time delay means operative to render said blocking means ineffective to permit said control device to separate said contacts only a predetermined time after a rst circuit interrupting operation, whereby upon the occurrence of said predetermined condition said control device will cause a quick separation of saidA contacts and thereafter said contacts will automatically reclose, and if said predetermined condition still exists said contacts will be separated a second time by said control device only a predetermined time after the first circuit interrupting operation, said closing means eil'ecting operation, means for reclosure, -whereby if said predetermined condition still exists the third successive separation of said contacts will be effected quickly like the first separation.

13. In circuit interrupting means, separable contacts, a single means responsive to a predetermined circuit condition controlling separation of said contacts comprising 'a relatively quick acting control device, means for automatically closing said contacts following a circuit .interrupting operation, blocking means automatically eil'ective in response to a circuit interrupting operation for preventing operation of` said control device to separate said contacts, time delay means operative to render said blocking means ineffective to permit said control device to separate said contacts only a predetermined time aftera. first circuit interrupting operation, whereby upon the occurrence of said predetermined condition said control device will cause a quick separation of said contacts and thereafter said contacts will automatically reclose, and if said predetermined condition still exists said contacts will be separated a second time by said control device only a predetermined time after the ilrst circuit interrupting operation, said closing means eifecting a second reclosure of said contacts after the second separation, said time delay means effective to maintain said blocking means'ineffective at least a predetermined time after said second reclosure, whereby if said predetermined condition still exists the third successive Separation of said contacts will be eflected quickly like lthe rst separation, and means responsive to said third separation of 'said contacts to prevent reclosure thereof.

14. In circuit interrupting means, separable contacts, means controlling separation of said contacts including relatively quick acting means for separating'said contacts in response to predetermined conditions, means for automatically reclosing said contacts in response to a circuit interrupting operation, time delay means automatically engageable with said quick acting means in response `to a circuit interrupting operation for delaying a closely succeeding circuit interrupting operation by said quick acting means for a predetermined time after reclosure oi' said contacts in the event said predetermined conditions continue. and a second time delay means responsive to a ilrst circuit interrupting operation to cause disengagement oi' said iirst vtime delay means and quick acting means a predeter mined longer time thereafter so that if said predetermined conditions are not present upon reclosure of said contacts, said contacts will be quickly separated if said conditions appear at a later time.

l5. In circuit interrupting means, separable contacts, means controlling separation of said contacts including means for relatively quickly separating said contacts in response to predetermined circuit conditions, means responsivev to a circuit interrupting operation to automatically 15- in the event saidy predetermined conditions remain on the circuit.

16. In a circuit interrupter. separable contact means, electromagnetic means for separating said contacts, means iorJautomatically reclosing said contacts in response to a circuit interrupting op.-

eration, means biased to move in response to a predetermined circuit interrupting operation to a position where it mechanically blocks a succeeding circuit interrupting operation of said electromagnetic means, and time delay means responsive to operation of said contacts f or moving said blocking means to a non-blocking position a predetermined time after a iirst reclosure of said contacts in the event said electromagnetic means is not energized suillciently to attempt another circuit opening operation.

17. In a circuit interrupter, separable contact means, electromagnetic means for separating.

said contacts. means for automatically reclosing said contacts in response to a circuit interrupting operation, time delay means automatically 'mechanically engageable vwith said contact separating means to delay an attempted closely successive circuit interrupting operation for a pre. determined time following a first reclosure of said contacts, and timing means responsive to reclosure of said contacts for disengaging said time delay means after said predetermined time has expired to permit said electromagnetic means to quickly separate said contacts at a later time.

18. In circuit interrupting means, separable contacts, means controlling separation of said contacts including relatively quick acting means for separating said contacts in response to predetermined conditions, means for automatically reclosing said contacts in response to a circuit interrupting operation, time delay means automatically engageable with said quick acting means in response to a circuit interrupting opera tion fordelaying a closely succeeding circuit interrupting operation by said quick acting means for a predetermined time ai'ter reclosure of said contacts in the event said predetermined conditions continue, second time delay means for delaying closure oi said contacts and adapted to be advanced of a predetermined amount by closing movement of said contacts, said second time delay means normally maintaining said iirst time delay means disengaged from said quick acting means but permitting said engagement whenv advanced. 19. In circuit interrupting means, separable contacts, means controlling separation of said contacts including relatively quick acting means for separating said contacts in response to predetermined conditions, means for automatically reclosing said contacts in responsev to a circuit interrupting operation, time delay means automatically engageable with said quick acting means in response to a circuit interrupting operation for delaying a closely succeeding circuit interrupting operation by said quick acting means lfor a predetermined time after reclosure of said reclose said contacts, means responsive to a first circuit interrupting operation for preventing separation of said contacts by said contact controlling means, time delay means also responsive to said predetermined circuit conditions for render- .ing said last-mentioned means ineffective a predetermined time after reclosure 'of said contacts contacts in the event said predetermined conditions continue, second time delay means for delaying closure of said contacts and adapted to be advanced a predetermined amount by closing movement of said contacts, said second time delay means normally maintaining said first time.

ation for delaying a closely succeeding circuitlnterrupting operation by said quick acting means for a predetermined time after reclosure of said contacts in the event said predetermined conditions continue, second time delay means for delaying closure of said contacts and adapted to be advanced a predetermined amount by closing movement of said contacts, said second Itime delay means normally maintaining said Iirst time delay means disengaged from said quick acting means but permitting said engagement when advanced,

meansbiaslng said second time delay means to;

reset the same a predetermined -t-ime after an advance-ment thereof. and normally inactive means for maintaining said contacts separated having a part positioned to be engaged by a part advanced by advancement oi said second time delay means to render said normally inactive means active to maintain said contacts separated 'in response to a predetermined number of suc-` cessive circuit interrupting operations.

21. In circuit interrupting means, separable contacts, means controlling separation of said contacts including relatively quick acting means `for separating sa-id contacts in response to predetermined conditions, means for automatically reclosing said contacts in response to a circuit interrupting operation. time delay means automatically engageable with said 'quick acting means in response to a circuit interrupting operation for delaying a closely succeeding circuit interrupting operation by said quick acting means for a predetermined time after reclosure of said contacts in the event said lpredetermined conditions continue, second time delay means adapted -to be adr vanced a predetermined amount by closing movemen-t of said contacts, said second time delay means normally maintaining said rst time delay means disengaged from said quick acting means but permitting said engagement when advanced.

22. In circuit interrupting means', separable contacts, means controlling separation of said contacts `including relatively quick acting means for separating said contacts in response to Dredeterminedccnditions, means for automatically reclosing said contacts in response to a circuit interrupting operation, time delay means automatically engageabl-e with said quick acting means in response to a circuit interrupting operation ior delaying a closely succeeding circuit interrupting operation by said quick acting means lfor a predetermined time after reclosure of saidV contacts in the event said predetermined conditions con'tlnue, second ltime delay means adapted to be advanced a predetermined amount by closing movement of said contacts, said second time delay means normally maintaining said first time delay means disengaged from said quick actingl means but permitting said engagement when ladvanced, and means biasing said second time delay means to reset the same apredetermined tim at ter an advancement thereof.

23. In circuit interrupting means, separable contacts, means controlling separation of said contacts including relatively quick acting means for separating said contacts in response to predetermined conditions, means for automatically reclosing said contacts in response to a circuit inresponse to a circuit interrupting operation for delaying a closely succeeding circuit interrupting operation by said quick acting means for a predetermined time aiter reclosure of said contacts'in the event said predetermined conditions continue, second time delay means adapted to be advanced a predetermined amount by closing movement of said contacts, said second time delay means normally maintaining said first time delay means disengaged from saidquick acting means but permitting said engagement wheny advanced, and normally 4inactive means for maintaining said contacts separated having a partpositioned to be' engaged by a part advanced .by advancement of said second time delay means to render said normally inactive means active to maintain said contacts separated in responsel to la predetermined number of successive circuit interrupting operations.

24. In a circuit interrupter, separable contact means, electromagnetic means for separating said contacts, means for automatically reclosing said contacts in response to a circuit interrupting operation, latch means movable in response to a first circuit interrupting operation to a position.

preventing a second succeeding separation of said contacts by said electromagnetic means, a bimetal controlled latch element maintaining said latch means in said position, and said bimetal latch elementbeing responsive to predetermined circuit conditions to release said latch means and permit said electromagnetic means to again separate said contacts.

25. In a circuit interrupter, separable contacts, electromagnetic and bimetallic means responsive to predetermined circuit conditions for controlling separation of said contacts, meansautomatically closing said contacts in response to a circuit interrupting operation, means normally preventing control oi contact separation by said bimetallic means, and means responsive to a rst circuit interrupting oper-.ation under the control of said electromagnetic means for rendering said bimetallic means operative to control a second circuit interrupting operation.

26. In a circuit interrupter, separable contacts, electromagnetic and blmetallic means responsive to predetermined circuit conditions for controlling separation of said contacts, means automatiA cally closing said contacts -in response to a circuit interrupting operation, means normally preventing control of contact separation by said bimetallic means, means responsive to a irst circuit interrupting operation under the control of said electromagnetic means for rendering said blmetallic means operative to control a second circuit interrupting operation, said bimetallic means deflecting to a non-controlling position when responding to said predetermined conditions, whereby a third successive circuit interrupting operation will `be controlled by said electromagnetic means. f

27. In a circuit interrupter, separable contacts, electromagnetic and bimetallic means responsive to predetermined circuit conditions for controlling separation of said contacts, means automatically closing said contacts in response to a circuit interrupting operation, means normally preventing control of contact separation by said bimetallic means, means responsive to a iirst circuit interrupting operation under the control of said electrlsmagneticy means for rendering said bimetallic means operative to control a second circuit interrupting operation. and time delay means responsive to said first circuit interrupting' operation for restoring said bimetallic means to its normal condition a predetermined time after reclosure of said contacts.

2B. In a circuit interrupter, separable contacts. slidably mounted contact actuating means,

electromagnetic means responsive to predeter-l means. means normally maintaining said latch outside the path of movement of said lug. said last-mentioned means being responsive to a circuit interrupting operation to permit movement o! said latch to said position.`

29. In a circuit interrupter. separable contacts,

slidably mounted contact actuating means, electromagnetic means responsive to ,predetermined circuit' conditions for moving said actuating means in ya direction to separate said contacts, means for automatically reclosing said contacts in response to a circuit interrupting operation, a

stop lug on said actuating means, a pivoted latch biased for movement to a position in the path oi movement oi' said lug to prevent separation of and contacts by said electromagnetic means. means normally maintaining said latch outside the path of movement-of said lug, said last-mentioned means being responsive to a circuit inter-A rupting operation to permit lmovement of said latch to said position, a/ bimetal controlled latch member for maintaining said pivotedlatch at said position, and said bimetal latch responsive to the continued existence of said predetermined circuit conditions to lrelease said pivoted latch and permit said electromagnetic means to again separate said contacts.

30. In a circuit interrupter, separable contacts, electromagnetic means responsive to predetermined circuit conditions for separating said contacts, means automatically closing said contacts in response to a circuit interrupting operation, normally inactive bimetallic means, means responsive to a first circuit interrupting operation to render said bimetallic means capable of preventing a closely succeeding contact separating operation by said electromagnetic means, and said bimetallic means at least when preventing contact separation being also responsive to said predetermined circuit conditions to permit said` electromagnetic means to effect a succeeding circuit interrupting operation, whereby such succeeding circuit interrupting operation will be delayed a predetermined time by said bimetallic means.

31. In a circuit interrupter, separable contacts. electromagnetic means responsive to predetermined circuit conditions Ior separating said con-v tacts, means automatically closing said contacts -in response to a circuit interrrupting operation.

, A20 tromagnetie means to effect a succeeding circuit interrupting operation, whereby such succeeding circuit interrupting operation will be\delayed a predetermined time by said bimetallic means, and means for automatically resetting said bimetallic means to its inactive condition a predetermined time after a ilrst circuit interrupting operation so that in the event the succeeding circuit interrupting operation does not closely sucseparation being also responsive to said prede- I ceed the ilrst it will not be delayed by said bimetallic means.

32. In a circuit interrupter. separable contacts. electromagnetic means responsive to predetermined circuit conditions for separating said contacts, means automatically closing said contacts in response to a circuit interrupting operation, normally inactive bimetallic means, means responsive to a rst circuit interrupting operation to render said bimetallic means capable ot preventin'g a closely succeeding contact separating operation by said electromagnetic means, said bimetallic means at least when preventing contact termined circuit conditions to permit said electromagnetic means to eilect a succeeding circuit interrupting operation, whereby such succeeding circuit interrupting operation will be delayed a predetermined time by said bimetallic means, and said bimetallic means deiiecting to an inactive position when responding to saidpredetermined conditions, so thatsaid electromagnetic.

means may effect a third circuit interrupting operation without delay.

33. Thecombination of a'circuit breaker, overload-responsivemeans for automatically and instantaneously opening the breaker, means responsive to an opening of the breaker for automatically reclosing the breaker, auxiliary means for directly restraining a further automatic opening by said overload-responsive means for apredetrmined time interval in response to a predetermined reclosing operation, and means for removing said restraint aiter said time interval.

34. In an automatic reclosing circuit breaken separable contacts, a single means for causing separation of said contacts to open the circuit, said contact separating means being responsive to a predetermined circuit condition for causing a relatively quick separation of said contacts. means responsive to a circuit interrupting operation to automatically close said contacts, and means automatically responsive to a predetermined circuit opening and reclosing operation for delaying the next succeeding circuit opening operation by said contact separating means for a predetermined time after the circuit is closed so that if said condition still exists said next opening of the circuit will be delayed.

35. In a circuit interrupter. separable contact means. electromagnetic means for causing separation of said contacts, means for automatically reclosing said contacts in response to a circuit interrupting operation, normally inactive time delay means, means responsive to a predetermined clrcuit interrupting operation for rendering said time delay means active to control movement oi said electromagnetic means and thereby delay an attempted closely successive circuit interrupting operation at least for a predetermined time 'following-a iirst reclosure' of said contacts.

36. The combination' of a circuit breaker, overload-responsive means for automatically and instantaneously opening the breaker, means responsive to an opening of the breaker for automatically reclosing the breaker, auxiliary means for directlymechanicaily restraining s. further automatic opening by said overload-responsive Imeans for a predetermined time Ainterval inresponse to a predetermined reclosing operation.

37. In a circuit interrupter. separable contact means, electromagnetic means for causing separation of said contacts, means for automatically reclosing said contacts in response to a circuit interrupting operation, time delay means, means responsive to a predetermined circuit opening and closing ot said interrupter to render said time delay means eilective to delay movement oi said electromagnetic means and thereby delayan attempted successive circuit interrupting operation, and said last mentioned means being biased to slowly return to a position at which said time delay means is rendered ineilective to delay movement of said electromagnetic means, whereby movement otsaid electromagnetic means will be delayed by said time delay means only in the event said electromagnetic means attempts to interrupt the circuit within a predetermined time following said predetermined ing operation.

38. In a circuit interrupter, separable contact means. electromagnetic means for causing separation oi said contacts. means for automatically reclosing said contacts'in response to acircuit interrupting operation, time delay means. means adapted to be advanced a predetermined amount in response to a circuit opening andreclosing opening and reclosmeans, electromagnetic means for causingseparation oflsaid contacts, means for automatically reclosing said contacts in response to a circuit interrupting operation, time delay means, second vtime delay means for delaying reclosing movement of said contacts and having an element adapted to be advanced a predetermined amount in response to a circuit reclosing operation of said interrupter,

means responsive to advancement oisaid element a predetermined amount to render said first mentioned time delay means effective to delay movecomprising one means controlled by operation of said circuit'breaker for locking said circuit breakerin the closed position, and means for restoring Y said locking means to unlocked condition after a operation of said interruptor, means responsive to advancement of said operation responsive means a predetermined amount to render said time delay mean's eilective to delay movement of said electromagnetic means and thereby delay an attempted successive circuit interrupting operation, said operation responsive means being biased to return to a position wherein said time delay means is inactive, -and second time delay l means for delaying return movement of said operation responsive means, whereby movement of said electromagnetic means will be delayed by said 'ration of said contacts, means for automatically reclosing said contacts in response to a circuit interrupting operation, Atime delay means, integrating means adapted to be advanced a predetermined amount in response to a circuit opening and reclosing operation of said interrupter, means responsive to advancement of said integrating means a predetermined amount to render said time delay means eiective to .delay movement o! said electromagnetic means and thereby delay an attempted successive circuit interruptingv operation, said integrating means being biased to return to a position wlierein said time delay means is inactive, second time delay means for delaying repredetermined time delay in the event said overload-responsive means isnot energized suiliciently to effect another circuit opening operation.`

42. In a circuit interrupter, separable contact means, electromagnetic means/for separating said contacts, means for automatically reclosing said contacts in response to a circuit interrupting operation, a member-associated with said contacts and movable therewith, an interference member biased to move in vresponse to a predetermined circuit interrupting operation to one position where it isin the path of-opening movement of said first-mentioned member for preventing a closely succeeding separation of said contacts under the iniluence of said electromagnetic means, and timing means normally holding said interference 'member out'of the path of movement of said mst-mentioned member and including a ratchet and gear train operatively connected to said interrupter and arranged in response to said predetermined operation to release said interference member for movement to its aforesaid one position, and said timing means being responsive to operation oi' said contacts for moving said interference member away from said one position a predetermined time after reclosure of said contacts in the event said electromagnetic means is not energized suiliciently to attempt ianother circuit opening operation.

' contacts, means for'autornatically reclosing said contacts 'in response to a circuit interrupting operation, a member associated with said contacts and movable therewith, an interference member biased to move in response to a predetermined circuit interrupting operation to oneposition where it is' in the path of opening movement of said first-mentioned member yfor preventing a closely succeeding separation of said contacts under the iniluence of said electromagnetic means. and timing means normally holding said interference member out of the path of movement of said iirst-mentio'ned member andincluding a ratchet A and gear train operatively connected to said interrupter and arranged in response to said predetermined operation to release said interference member for movement to its atoresaidone posit sansa tion. and said timing means including a resetting spring so'as to be responsive to operation of said contacts for moving said interference member away from said one position a predeterminedtime after reclosure oi saidcontacts in the event said electromagnetic means is not energized sufficiently to attempt another circuit opening operation.

44.- In a circuit interrupter, separable contact means, electromagnetic means for separating said contacts. means for automatically reclosing said contacts in response' to a, circuit interrupting operation, a member associated with said contacts and movable therewith, .an interference member biased to move in response to a predetermined circuit interrupting operation Y to one position where it is in the path of openingv movement of said mst-mentioned member ior preventing a closely succeeding separation of said contacts under theintluence of said electromagnetic means, and timing means normally holding `laid interference member out of the path of movement of said iirst-mentionedgmember and including a ratchet and gear train operatively'connected to said interrupter and arranged in response to said predetermined operation to release said interference member for movement to its aforesaid o ne position, and said timing'means including a resetting spring and delay'means so as to be responsive to operation of said contacts for moving said interference member away from said one position a predetermined time after reclosure of said contacts in the event said electromagnetic means is not energized sufilciently to attempt another circuit opening operation.

45. The combination of a circuit breaker, overload-responsive means for automatically and instantaneously opening the breaker, means responsive to an opening of the breaker i'orauto matically reclosing the breaker, auxiliary mechanical locking means for directly restraining a further automatic opening by said overloadresponsive means for a predetermined time interval in response to a predetermined reclosing operation.

46. The combination of a circuit breaker, overload-responsive means for automatically and instantaneously opening/ the breaker, means re,

sponsive to an opening of the breaker for automatically reclosing the breaker, auxiliary means for directly restraining a further automatic opening by said overload-responsive means for a predetermined time interval in response to a predetermined reclosing operation, comprising a mechanical lock for preventing Aan instantaneous automatic circuit opening operation by said overload-responsive means. holding means for norl mally rendering said mechanical lock inoperative, vand means responsive to -a predetermined opening and reclosing operation of said breaker for releasing said holding means to render said lock operative. i

47. The combination oi a circuit breaker oi the reclosing type comprising two contacts normally in engagement. overload-responsive means comprising an electromagnet having a winding connected in series with said contacts for automatically and. instantaneously opening the breaker by moving one of said contacts out oi engagement with the other contact when the current through said series-connected winding andcontacts exceeds a vpredetermined value, means responsive to an opening oi' the breaker for automatically moving said one contact into engagement with the other oi said contacts when said winding is deenergized for automatically reclosing .the breaker. timing means actuated by said one of said contacts during the closing operation thereof for retardlng said closing operation, auxiliary means controlled by said timing means for directly mechanically restraining a further automatic opening by said overload-responsive means for a predetermined time interval in response to a predetermined reclosing operation when the current through said seriesconnected winding is below said predetermined value.

48. The combination of a circuit breaker, over load-responsive means for automatically Aand instantaneously opening the breaker, means responsive to an opening of the breaker for automatically reclosing the breaker, auxiliary means for directly restraining a further automatic opening by said overload-responsive means for a predetermined time interval in response to a predetermined reclosing operation, comprising means for delaying closing movement oi said contacts including an actuating member adapted to be advanced a predetermined amount by each operation o! said reclosing means, movable stop means movable in response to predetermined advancement of said member for preventing operation of said contact separating means to open said contacts, and means for slowly returning said member to its original position to restore said stop 'means to its original position a predetermined tinie afterA advancement of said.A

member.

HERBERT L aswrms.

JAMES M. WALLACE.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED s'rA''Es PATENTS l Name Date Lincks et al. Jan. 21, 1941 Number 

